Nigerian academic, entrepreneur and inventor, Prof. Gregory Ibeh has endowed $1 million for the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Ibeh will also help facilitate the research via his Abia-based Gregory University Uturu, which announced the move in a statement on January 19.
According to Rosemary Igboekwe, Registrar of Gregory University Uturu, the endowment fund, which will be available to scientists and researchers within the bounds of southern Nigeria as grants, will be channeled through Gregory Iyke Foundation, the philanthropic organ of Prof. Gregory Ibe.
The move will put Nigeria, which has been heavily reliant on foreign scientific aid, high on the ladder of Covid-19 research globally.
A letter addressed to Vice Chancellors of federal, state and private universities in southern Nigeria signed by the Registrar therefore requests, “Interested research scientists to submit their proposals to the Secretary of the Covid-19 Research Fund Committee, Dr. Prince Nkemakolam Okoroh of the Department of Biochemistry, Gregory University Uturu, on or before February 28, 2021.”
The statement adds that, Gregory University Uturu has all the required instruments and equipment that will aid smooth conduct of the research exercise.
According the statement, applicants can submit proposals via the following emails; pnokoroh@gregoryuniversityuturu.edu.ng; vc@gregoryuniversityuturu.edu.ng; registrar@gregoryuniversityuturu.edu.ng,
They can also reach out through the following phone numbers: 07038834806, O7060968996, 08035827247
The statement further revealed that this is not the first time Ibeh, who is also the Chancellor of Gregory University Uturu and Chairman of Association of Owners of Private Universities, will be joining the fight against Covid-19.
“Previously, he donated 850 bags of (50kg) rice to the Abia State government food bank for distribution to the needy in the 17 LGAs of the state during the period of lockdown.
“He also released over 10,000 cartons of noodles to the 17 local government areas and groups in the state, while also providing two ambulances to assist the state’s inter-ministerial committee on Covid-19 to convey blood samples to Abakaliki for testing.”
Photo: The Chancellor, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Prof. Gregory Ibeh.
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